JP7030419B2 - Sheet processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a sheet processing apparatus.

A sheet processing device that performs specified post-processing on a sheet (paper) conveyed from an image forming device is known. The sheet processing apparatus includes a processing unit for performing post-processing and a standby unit provided above the processing unit. The standby unit temporarily retains the subsequent sheet while the processing unit performs post-processing of the sheet. When the processing unit becomes empty, the standby unit drops the stagnant sheet toward the processing unit. The sheet that has fallen into the processing unit is subjected to post-processing such as sorting processing and staple processing. After the post-processing, the extrusion member of the processing unit operates to extrude the edge of the sheet on the upstream side in the transport direction toward the downstream side in the transport direction. As a result, the post-processed sheet is transported to the downstream side in the transport direction, and the paper is discharged from the processing section.
The sheet transfer method using the extruded member of the processing unit does not interfere with the buffer operation to the standby unit of the sheet, and is advantageous for improving performance (speeding up). On the other hand, for example, in the case of a long sheet such as A3, particularly a sheet having no stiffness, the sheet may buckle due to the action of pushing the rear end of the sheet, which may cause a sheet transfer failure.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-11923

An object to be solved by the present invention is to provide a sheet processing apparatus capable of suppressing buckling of a sheet regardless of the size and type of the sheet and suppressing defective transfer of the sheet.

The sheet processing apparatus of the embodiment includes a processing tray, a transport roller, an upstream moving member, an extrusion member, a pinch roller, and a control unit. The processing tray places a sheet on which post-processing is performed. The transport roller is provided on the downstream side of the processing tray in the sheet transport direction, and transports the sheet to the downstream side in the sheet transport direction. The upstream moving member can abut on the upstream end of the sheet placed on the processing tray in the sheet transport direction, and moves to the downstream side in the sheet transport direction. The extruding member extrudes the upstream end of the sheet placed on the processing tray from the upstream side in the sheet transport direction to the downstream side, and transports the sheet to the downstream side in the sheet transport direction. The pinch roller can move to a standby position separated from the transfer roller and a rotation position close to the transfer roller, and when the sheet is transferred by the transfer roller, the pinch roller moves to the rotation position and sandwiches the sheet between the transfer roller and the pinch roller. When the sheet is conveyed, the control unit controls to switch between sheet transfer by the extrusion member, sheet transfer by the transfer roller and the pinch roller, and sheet transfer by the extrusion member, the transfer roller and the pinch roller, and the transfer roller is used. At the time of sheet transfer, the extrusion member and the upstream side moving member are moved to the downstream side in the sheet transfer direction at a speed equal to or lower than the sheet transfer speed by the transfer roller, and the extrusion member is controlled to abut on the upstream end of the sheet. ..

The front view which shows the structure of the image formation system of an embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the image formation system of an embodiment. The side view which shows the structure of the post-processing apparatus of the image formation system of embodiment. The side view which shows the 1st operation of the post-processing apparatus of embodiment. The side view which shows the 2nd operation of the post-processing apparatus of embodiment. The side view which shows the 3rd operation of the post-processing apparatus of embodiment. The side view which shows the 4th operation of the post-processing apparatus of embodiment. The front view which shows the control panel of the image formation system of embodiment. The first flowchart which shows the processing of the post-processing apparatus of embodiment. The second flowchart which shows the processing of the post-processing apparatus of embodiment.

Hereinafter, the sheet processing apparatus of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to configurations having the same or similar functions. Then, the duplicate description of those configurations may be omitted.
A sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10.
1 and 2 show an example of the overall configuration of the image forming system 1. The image forming system 1 includes an image forming apparatus 2 and a post-processing apparatus 3. The image forming apparatus 2 forms an image on a sheet-shaped recording medium (hereinafter, referred to as “sheet S”) such as paper. The post-processing device 3 performs post-processing on the sheet S (including the sheet bundle SS in which a plurality of sheets S are stacked; the same applies hereinafter) conveyed from the image forming device 2. The post-processing device 3 is an example of a “sheet processing device”.

The image forming apparatus 2 includes a control panel (operation unit) 11, a scanner unit 12, a printer unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, a paper ejection unit 15, and an image forming control unit 16.
The control panel 11 includes various keys or a touch panel that accepts user operations. For example, the control panel 11 receives an input regarding the type of post-processing of the sheet S. For example, the control panel 11 accepts a selection of a sort mode in which the sort process is performed, a staple mode in which the stapling process is performed, or a non-sort mode in which the sort process and the stapling process are not performed. Further, when the non-sort mode is selected, the control panel 11 accepts a selection of whether to eject the sheet S to the fixed tray 23a described later of the post-processing device 3 or to eject the sheet S to the movable tray 23b. .. Further, the control panel 11 accepts the selection of the sheet transport method when the sheet S is discharged to the movable tray 23b.
The image forming apparatus 2 sends information regarding the type of post-processing input by the control panel 11 to the post-processing apparatus 3.

The scanner unit 12 includes a reading unit that reads image information of an object to be copied. The scanner unit 12 sends the read image information to the printer unit 13.
The printer unit 13 forms an output image (hereinafter referred to as "toner image") with a developer such as toner based on the image information transmitted from the scanner unit 12 or an external device. The printer unit 13 transfers the toner image onto the surface of the sheet S. The printer unit 13 applies heat and pressure to the toner image transferred to the sheet S to fix the toner image on the sheet S.

The paper feeding unit 14 supplies the sheets S to the printer unit 13 one by one at the timing when the printer unit 13 forms the toner image.
The paper ejection unit 15 conveys the sheet S ejected from the printer unit 13 to the post-processing device 3.
The image formation control unit 16 controls the overall operation of the image formation device 2. That is, the image formation control unit 16 controls the control panel 11, the scanner unit 12, the printer unit 13, the paper feeding unit 14, and the paper ejection unit 15. The image formation control unit 16 is formed of a control circuit including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory).

Next, the aftertreatment device 3 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the post-processing device 3 is arranged adjacent to the image forming device 2. The post-processing device 3 executes the designated post-processing on the sheet S conveyed from the image forming device 2 through the control panel 11. For example, the post-processing includes sorting processing, staple processing, and the like.

The post-processing device 3 includes a standby unit 21, a processing unit 22, a discharge unit 23, and a post-processing control unit (control unit) 24.
With reference to FIG. 3, the standby unit 21 temporarily retains (buffers) the sheet S conveyed from the image forming apparatus 2. The standby unit 21 includes a standby tray 41. For example, the standby unit 21 makes a plurality of subsequent sheets S stand by while the post-processing of the preceding sheet S is performed by the processing unit 22. The standby unit 21 is provided above the processing unit 22. For example, the standby unit 21 causes a plurality of sheets S to be stacked and made to stand by. When the processing unit 22 becomes empty, the standby unit 21 drops the stagnant sheet S toward the processing unit 22.

The processing unit 22 performs post-processing on the conveyed sheet S. The processing unit 22 includes a processing tray 51. For example, the processing unit 22 performs a sort process of aligning and matching a plurality of sheets S. For example, the processing unit 22 performs a binding process (staple process) by staples on the sheet bundle SS in which a plurality of sheets S are arranged. The processing unit 22 discharges the post-treated sheet S to the discharge unit 23.

As shown in FIG. 1, the discharge unit 23 includes a fixed tray 23a and a movable tray 23b. The fixed tray 23a is provided on the upper part of the aftertreatment device 3. The movable tray 23b is provided on the side portion of the post-processing device 3. The movable tray 23b moves in the vertical direction along the side portion of the post-processing device 3. The sheet S is discharged from the standby unit 21 and the processing unit 22 to the fixed tray 23a and the movable tray 23b.

The post-processing control unit 24 controls the overall operation of the post-processing device 3. That is, the post-processing control unit 24 controls the standby unit 21, the processing unit 22, and the discharging unit 23. The post-processing control unit 24 controls the operations of the inlet rollers 32a, 32b, the outlet rollers 33a, 33b, and the assist guide 43, and also controls the operations of the bundle claw drive mechanism 71 and the pinch roller drive mechanism 72. Like the image formation control unit 16, the post-processing control unit 24 is formed of a control circuit including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM.

Next, the configuration of each part of the aftertreatment device 3 will be described in detail.
The "sheet transport direction" in the present embodiment is the direction indicated by the arrow D1 in the standby unit 21 and the direction indicated by the arrow D2 in the processing unit 22. The arrow D1 means the transport direction of the sheet S in the standby tray 41 (the direction in which the sheet S enters the standby tray 41). The arrow D2 means the transport direction of the sheet S in the processing tray 51 (the discharge direction of the sheet S from the processing tray 51).

Further, the "upstream side" and "downstream side" in the present embodiment mean the upstream side (image forming apparatus 2 side) and the downstream side in the sheet transport direction, respectively. Further, the "tip portion" and "rear end portion" in the present embodiment mean the "downstream side end portion" and the "upstream side end portion" in the sheet transport direction, respectively. Further, in the present embodiment, the direction substantially parallel to the plane of the sheet S (the direction of the sheet surface) and substantially orthogonal to the sheet transport direction is referred to as the sheet width direction W.

As shown in FIG. 3, the post-processing device 3 has a transport path 31 for the seat S, a pair of inlet rollers 32a and 32b, a pair of outlet rollers 33a and 33b, a standby unit 21, and a processing unit 22.

The transport path 31 is provided inside the aftertreatment device 3. The transport path 31 has a sheet supply port 31p and a sheet discharge port 31d. The sheet supply port 31p faces the image forming apparatus 2. The sheet S is supplied from the image forming apparatus 2 to the sheet supply port 31p. The sheet discharge port 31d faces the standby unit 21. The seat S that has passed through the transport path 31 is transported from the seat discharge port 31d to the standby unit 21.

As shown in FIG. 1, a second transport path 31a extending toward the fixed tray 23a of the discharge unit 23 branches from the transport path 31. The second transport path 31a guides the sheet S supplied to the sheet supply port 31p toward the fixed tray 23a when the fixed tray 23a is selected as the discharge destination of the sheet S in the non-sort mode.

When the sort mode or the staple mode is selected, the transport path 31 guides the sheet S supplied to the sheet supply port 31p to the standby unit 21. When the movable tray 23b is selected as the discharge destination of the sheet S in the non-sort mode, the transport path 31 directly guides the sheet S supplied to the sheet supply port 31p to the processing unit 22. From the transport path 31, a third transport path 31b extending toward the transport roller 59 on the downstream side in the transport direction of the processing unit 22 is branched. In FIG. 1, the inlet rollers 32a and 32b are indicated by reference numerals 32, and the exit rollers 33a and 33b are indicated by reference numerals 33.

With reference to FIG. 3, the inlet rollers 32a and 32b are provided in the vicinity of the sheet supply port 31p. The inlet rollers 32a and 32b are parallel to each other and face each other in the radial direction. The inlet roller 32a is a drive roller arranged on the upper surface side of the transport path 31. The inlet roller 32b is a driven roller arranged on the lower surface side of the transport path 31. The inlet rollers 32a and 32b sandwich the sheet S in the nip between them. The inlet rollers 32a and 32b convey the sandwiched sheet S to the downstream side in the conveying direction.

The outlet rollers 33a and 33b are provided in the vicinity of the seat discharge port 31d. The outlet rollers 33a and 33b are parallel to each other and face each other in the radial direction. The outlet roller 33a is a drive roller arranged on the upper surface side of the transport path 31. The outlet roller 33b is a driven roller arranged on the lower surface side of the transport path 31. The outlet rollers 33a and 33b sandwich the sheet S in the nip between them. The outlet rollers 33a and 33b transport the sandwiched sheet S to the downstream side in the transport direction.

Next, the standby unit 21 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the standby unit 21 has a standby tray (buffer tray) 41 and an assist guide 43.

The rear end of the standby tray 41 is located in the vicinity of the outlet rollers 33a and 33b. The rear end of the standby tray 41 is located below the sheet discharge port 31d of the transport path 31. The standby tray 41 is tilted with respect to the horizontal direction so as to gradually increase toward the downstream side of the sheet transport direction D1. In the waiting tray 41, a plurality of sheets S are stacked and put on standby while the post-processing is performed by the processing unit 22.

The standby tray 41 has a pair of tray members that can approach and separate from each other in the seat width direction W. When the sheet S stands by on the standby tray 41, the pair of tray members approach each other and can support the sheet S. When the sheets S move from the standby tray 41 toward the processing tray 51 of the processing unit 22, the pair of tray members drop (move) the sheets S supported apart from each other toward the processing tray 51. Let me.

The assist guide 43 is provided above the standby tray 41. For example, the assist guide 43 has substantially the same length as the standby tray 41 in the sheet transport direction D1. When the sheet S moves from the standby tray 41 toward the processing tray 51, the assist guide 43 urges the sheet S toward the processing tray 51. The assist guide 43 has a swing shaft at the downstream end of the seat transport direction D1. The assist guide 43 swings the end portion on the upstream side in the sheet transport direction D1 downward to urge the sheet S toward the processing tray 51.

A paddle portion 34 is provided between the upstream side of the standby tray 41 and the upstream side of the processing tray 51. The paddle portion 34 presses the sheet S toward the processing tray 51 by rotating around a rotation axis along the sheet width direction W. The paddle portion 34 presses the sheet S toward the processing tray 51 when the sheet S moves from the standby tray 41 toward the processing tray 51. The paddle portion 34 has a paddle 34a made of an elastic material such as rubber, and the paddle 34a presses the sheet S toward the processing tray 51. The paddle portion 34 rotates counterclockwise in the figure with the paddle 34a in contact with the seat S. As a result, the sheet S that has fallen on the processing tray 51 moves toward the upstream side of the sheet transport direction D2 of the processing unit 22. The paddle unit 34, together with the transfer roller 59 and the rear end stopper 54 of the processing unit 22, constitutes a vertical alignment device that aligns the sheets S in the sheet transfer direction D2 (so-called vertical alignment).

Next, the processing unit 22 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the processing unit 22 includes a processing tray 51, a horizontal matching plate 52, a rear end stopper 54, a stapler (binding processing unit) 55, an ejector 56, a truster 56a, a bundle claw (extruded member) 57, and a bundle claw. It has a belt 58 and a transport roller (vertical alignment roller) 59.

The processing tray 51 is provided below the standby tray 41. The processing tray 51 is tilted with respect to the horizontal direction so as to gradually increase toward the downstream side of the sheet transport direction D2. For example, the processing tray 51 is tilted substantially parallel to the standby tray 41. The processing tray 51 has a transport surface 51a that supports the sheet S (on which the sheet S is placed).

The horizontal matching plates 52 are provided on both sides of the transport surface 51a of the processing tray 51 in the sheet width direction W. The pair of lateral matching plates 52 are provided apart from each other in the seat width direction W. The lateral matching plate 52 moves in the sheet width direction W in the direction of approaching each other and in the direction of separating from each other. The horizontal alignment plate 52 constitutes a horizontal alignment device that aligns the sheets S in the sheet width direction W (so-called horizontal alignment).

The rear end stopper 54 is provided at the upstream end of the processing tray 51. The sheet S placed on the processing tray 51 is conveyed toward the rear end stopper 54 by the transfer roller 59 being driven in the reverse direction in the clockwise direction in the drawing. The transport roller 59 cooperates with the paddle portion 34 to bring the upstream end of the seat S into contact with the rear end stopper 54 to vertically align the seat S.

The stapler 55 is arranged behind the processing tray 51. The stapler 55 can clinch the end portion of the sheet S aligned in contact with the rear end stopper 54. When the staple mode is selected, the stapler 55 performs a staple process on the ends of the sheet bundle SS that are in contact with the rear end stopper 54 and aligned.

The ejector 56 is provided at the upstream end of the processing tray 51. The ejector 56 is provided so as to overlap the rear end stopper 54 in a side view. The ejector 56 can move toward the downstream side in the sheet transport direction D2. When the ejector 56 moves to the downstream side in the transport direction, the ejector 56 advances the sheet bundle SS that has been subjected to the stapling process or the sorting process. The ejector 56 arranges the end portion of the sheet bundle SS at a position where it can be delivered to the bundle claw 57. The ejector 56 is urged toward the initial position before the movement.

The truster 56a is arranged along the transport surface 51a. The truster 56a can move together with the ejector 56 toward the downstream side in the sheet transport direction D2. When the truster 56a moves downstream in the transport direction, it projects toward the downstream side in the transport direction from the transport roller 59. The truster 56a projects so as to extend the transport surface 51a toward the downstream side in the transport direction from the transport roller 59. At the initial position before the movement, the truster 56a is immersed in the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the transport roller 59. The truster 56a is urged toward the initial position before the movement.

The bundle claw 57 is fixed to the bundle claw belt 58. The bundle claw belt 58 is hung on a pair of belt rollers 58a and 58b located on the upstream side and the downstream side in the transport direction of the processing tray 51. The belt roller 58a on the downstream side in the transport direction is provided so as to overlap with the transport roller 59. The belt roller 58a on the downstream side in the transport direction is a drive roller, and the bundle claw belt 58 is driven by the rotation of the drive roller. The bundle claw belt 58 and the belt rollers 58a and 58b constitute a bundle claw drive mechanism 71 for driving the bundle claw 57.

The bundle claw 57 moves along the winding direction of the bundle claw belt 58 as the bundle claw belt 58 is driven. The bundle claw 57 is in contact with the end portion of the sheet S placed on the processing tray 51 on the upstream side in the transport direction, and the sheet S is transported so as to be pushed out to the downstream side in the transport direction of the processing tray 51. The bundle claw 57 moves to the downstream side in the sheet transport direction D2 on the upper surface side (transport surface 51a side) of the processing tray 51. After the sheet S is conveyed, the bundle claw 57 moves to the lower surface side along the outer circumference of the belt roller 58a on the tip end side of the processing tray 51. After that, the bundle claw 57 moves the lower surface side of the processing tray 51 to the upstream side in the sheet transport direction D2. The bundle claw 57 stands by in front of the belt roller 58b on the rear end side of the processing tray 51 as the home position HP. The bundle claw 57 moves from the home position HP to the transport surface 51a side along the outer circumference of the belt roller 58b on the rear end side of the processing tray 51, and transports the sheet bundle SS delivered from the ejector 56.

The bundle claw drive mechanism 71 includes a bundle claw drive motor 65 as a drive source shared by the bundle claw 57 (belt roller 58a), the ejector 56, and the truster 56a. The bundle claw drive motor 65 is always connected to the belt roller 58a, but is connected to the ejector 56 and the truster 56a so as to be connectable and detachable via the electromagnetic clutch 66. The bundle claw drive mechanism 71 advances the ejector 56 and the truster 56a by the driving force of the bundle claw drive motor 65 only when the electromagnetic clutch 66 is ON (when connected). When the electromagnetic clutch 66 is OFF (disengaged), the ejector 56 and the truster 56a return to the initial positions before advancing by their own urging force.

When the belt roller 58a is driven to rotate counterclockwise in the figure, the bundle claw 57, the ejector 56, and the truster 56a move on the transport surface 51a of the processing tray 51 to the downstream side in the transport direction (left side in the figure). When the belt roller 58a is driven in the reverse direction in the clockwise direction in the drawing, the bundle claw 57, the ejector 56 and the truster 56a move on the transport surface 51a of the processing tray 51 to the upstream side in the transport direction (right side in the figure).

The transport roller 59 is driven in a clockwise direction counterclockwise in the drawing to transport the sheet S placed on the processing tray 51 toward the movable tray 23b of the discharge unit 23. The transport roller 59 is in contact with the sheet S placed on the processing tray 51 from below to apply a driving force to the sheet S. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, if the sheet S bends and separates from the transfer roller 59, the driving force of the transfer roller 59 cannot be applied to the sheet S. Therefore, above the processing tray 51 (above the standby tray 41 in the embodiment), a pinch roller 61 for sandwiching the sheet S with the transport roller 59 is provided.

The pinch roller 61 is a driven roller having no drive source. The pinch roller 61 is movable between a standby position located above the standby tray 41 (see FIG. 3) and a rotation position facing the transport roller 59 (see FIG. 4). The pinch roller 61 is driven by the pinch roller drive mechanism 72 to move between the standby position and the rotation position. By moving the pinch roller 61 to the rotation position, the sheet S is sandwiched between the pinch roller 61 and the transport roller 59. This makes it possible to stably transmit the driving force of the transport roller 59 to the seat S.

The pinch roller drive mechanism 72 includes a support arm 62 that supports the pinch roller 61 at the tip end portion (front end portion) and the base end portion (rear end portion) is swingably supported about an axis along the seat width direction W. , A solenoid 63 connected to the base end of the support arm 62. As shown in FIG. 3, when the solenoid 63 projects the plunger rearward, the pinch roller 61 swings upward via the support arm 62 and moves to the standby position. As shown in FIG. 4, when the solenoid 63 immerses the plunger forward, the pinch roller 61 swings downward via the support arm 62 and moves to the rotational position.

In the non-sort mode, when the movable tray 23b is selected as the discharge destination of the sheet S, the post-processing device 3 supplies the sheet S to the sheet supply port 31p without passing through the standby tray 41. It is transported from the transport path 31b toward the transport roller 59 of the processing tray 51. The sheet S is discharged to the movable tray 23b by the transport roller 59 of the processing tray 51.

Note that "not passing through the standby tray 41" in the present embodiment means that the sheet S is not buffered in the standby tray 41 (in other words, the sheet S is not retained in the standby tray 41). That is, "not passing through the standby tray 41" in the present embodiment includes the sheet S passing between the pair of tray members of the standby tray 41 separated in the sheet width direction W. Further, "not passing through the standby tray 41" in the present embodiment may include a case where the sheet S comes into contact with a part of the standby tray 41 depending on the shape of the standby tray 41.

The third transport path 31b passes through a relatively large step and space before reaching the transport roller 59 of the processing tray 51. Therefore, the processing tray 51 may be provided with a slope-shaped guide (not shown) that appears and disappears on the transport surface 51a. As a result, when the movable tray 23b is selected as the discharge destination of the sheet S in the non-sort mode, the sheet S transported from the third transport path 31b is stably directed toward the transport roller 59 of the processing tray 51. Guidance will be possible.

When the fixed tray 23a is selected as the discharge destination of the sheet S in the non-sort mode, the post-processing control unit 24 controls a branch member or the like (not shown) to send the sheet S to the second transport path 31a, and the sheet S is sent. Is discharged to the fixed tray 23a.
Further, when the sort mode or the staple mode is selected, the post-processing control unit 24 controls the branch member or the like to send the sheet S to the transport path 31, and transports the sheet S to the standby unit 21. After that, by controlling the standby unit 21 and the processing unit 22, the buffer and the post-processed sheet S are discharged to the movable tray 23b.

As shown in FIG. 3, the home position HP of the bundle claw 57 is located below the bundle claw belt 58. When the bundle claw 57 is in the home position HP and the bundle claw belt 58 starts driving, the bundle claw 57 moves to the upstream side. After that, the bundle claw 57 moves to the upper side (conveying surface 51a side) of the bundle claw belt 58 along the outer circumference of the belt roller 58b on the rear end side. After that, the bundle claw 57 pushes the sheet bundle SS downstream while moving to the downstream side along the transport surface 51a, and discharges the sheet bundle SS. The post-processing control unit 24 can detect that the bundle claw 57 is in the home position HP by a sensor (not shown).

Further, the post-processing control unit 24 conveys the sheet S from the third transport path 31b toward the transport roller 59 of the processing unit 22 when the movable tray 23b is selected as the discharge destination of the sheet S in the non-sort mode. do. Specifically, the post-processing control unit 24 controls the standby tray 41 to separate the pair of tray members of the standby tray 41. As a result, the sheet S goes from the third transport path 31b to the transport roller 59 without passing through the standby tray 41 (without being placed on the standby tray 41).

The post-processing control unit 24 lowers the pinch roller 61 to the rotation position by controlling the pinch roller drive mechanism 72 when the seat S is sent from the third transport path 31b toward the transport roller 59. As a result, the sheet S guided to the transport roller 59 is sandwiched between the transport roller 59 and the pinch roller 61 to ensure that a driving force is applied, and the sheet S is stably discharged toward the movable tray 23b. After discharging the seat S, the post-processing control unit 24 controls the pinch roller drive mechanism 72 to raise the pinch roller 61 to the standby position. As a result, the next sheet S can be placed on the processing tray 51.

Here, when the sort mode or the staple mode is selected, if the rear end of the sheet bundle SS is pushed out by the bundle claw 57 and discharged, the sheet bundle SS may buckle. For example, when the sheet S is thin and soft, has a large size such as A3, and the number of sheets S is small, the rigidity of the sheet bundle SS is low and it is easy to bend. Therefore, when the rear end of the seat bundle SS is pushed out by the bundle claw 57, the seat bundle SS buckles. When the seat S buckles, the seat S is separated from the transport roller 59 and no driving force is applied, so that the seat S cannot be completely discharged to the movable tray 23b. Further, even if the seat S is further pushed out by the bundle claw 57 while the seat S is buckled, the seat S is further bent and curled, and this point also causes a poor transport of the seat S.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, even when the sheet S post-processed in the processing tray 51 is transported to the downstream side in the sheet transport direction D2, the pinch roller 61 and the transport roller 59 are used to transport the sheet. It controls the roller 61 and the transport roller 59.
That is, when the post-processing control unit 24 conveys the sheet S placed on the processing tray 51 to the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction D2, the post-processing control unit 24 uses the pinch roller 61 and the conveying roller 59 to convey the sheet. And controls the transport roller 59.

Specifically, the post-processing control unit 24 controls the pinch roller drive mechanism 72 to rotate the pinch roller 61 when the sheet S post-processed in the processing tray 51 is transported to the downstream side of the sheet transport direction D2. It is moved to the moving position, and the sheet can be transported by using the pinch roller 61 and the transport roller 59.
Further, the post-processing control unit 24 controls the bundle claw drive mechanism 71 to stop the operation of the bundle claw 57 when the sheet S post-processed in the processing tray 51 is transported to the downstream side of the sheet transfer direction D2. do. This eliminates the extrusion of the upstream end of the sheet S by the bundle claw 57. Therefore, even when the soft, large-sized, and low-rigidity sheet S is conveyed, it is possible to prevent the sheet S from buckling and prevent the transfer failure.

Further, the operation of moving the pinch roller 61 to the rotation position and sandwiching the seat S is performed after the vertical alignment and the horizontal alignment of the seat S are completed.
That is, in a state where the pinch roller 61 moves to the rotation position and the sheet S is sandwiched between the pinch roller 61 and the transport roller 59, there is a possibility that the matching process of the sheet S may be hindered. In the present embodiment, the pinch roller 61 moves to the standby position before the matching process is completed, and the pinch roller 61 moves to the rotating position after the matching process is completed. As a result, the matching process can be performed without being affected by the pinching of the pinch roller 61.

Further, the post-processing control unit 24 starts the transfer of the seat S by the pinch roller 61 and the transfer roller 59, then connects the electromagnetic clutch 66 of the bundle claw drive mechanism 71, and advances the truster 56a by the bundle claw drive motor 65. ..
The soft sheet S may hang down and curl immediately after leaving the transport roller 59, or may come into surface contact with the movable tray 23b. However, by the truster 56a coming into contact with the lower surface of the seat S to support the seat, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of sagging of the seat S and prevent the sheet S from being poorly transported.

Further, the post-processing control unit 24 immerses the truster 56a in the upstream side and returns it to the initial position before the transfer of the seat S to the movable tray 23b is completed.
Therefore, the upstream end of the seat S does not ride on the truster 56a on the movable tray 23b, and the transport failure of the seat S can be suppressed. If the truster 56a is immersed in the movable tray 23b from the state where the upstream end of the seat S rides on the truster 56a, the seat S may be returned to the upstream side by the movement of the truster 56a. In this case, the upstream end of the seat S may ride on the exit of the processing tray 51. Further, if there is a sheet sensor below the outlet of the processing tray 51, the detection of the sheet S by this sheet sensor may be delayed, which may affect an appropriate paper ejection operation such as height adjustment of the movable tray 23b. be.

Further, the bundle claw drive mechanism 71 advances the ejector 56 from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction as the truster 56a advances. Further, the bundle claw drive mechanism 71 also moves the bundle claw 57 from the home position HP below the processing tray 51 along the winding direction of the bundle claw belt 58 as the truster 56a advances.
Therefore, the post-processing control unit 24 moves the ejector 56 to the downstream side at a speed equal to or lower than the sheet transfer speed by the transfer roller 59 when the sheet is transferred by the transfer roller 59. At this time, the post-processing control unit 24 moves the bundle claw 57 to the downstream side in the belt winding direction at a speed equal to or lower than the sheet transfer speed by the transfer roller 59 when the sheet is transferred by the transfer roller 59.
That is, by setting "sheet transfer speed by the transfer roller 59" ≥ "moving speed of the ejector 56 and the bundle claw 57", the transfer speed on the downstream side of the sheet S becomes faster than the transfer speed on the upstream side. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ejector 56 and the bundle claw 57 from pushing the upstream end of the sheet S in the transport direction to cause buckling. Further, when the sheet is conveyed by the transfer roller 59, the ejector 56 and the bundle claw 57 support the sheet transfer even if the transfer roller 59 slips or the like. That is, the ejector 56, the bundle claw 57, and the transfer roller 59 can cooperate with each other to transfer the sheet S, and it is possible to suppress the transfer failure while suppressing the buckling of the sheet S.

Further, the sheet transfer speed by the transfer roller 59 is variable according to at least one of the size and type of the sheet S.
That is, the post-processing control unit 24 automatically sets the sheet transfer speed by the transfer roller 59 according to the size (including non-standard size and non-standard size) and type (paper quality, basis weight (thickness), etc.) of the sheet S. Or change it manually. When the sheet transfer speed by the transfer roller 59 is automatically changed, a sensor for detecting the size and type of the sheet S is provided, and the post-processing control unit 24 controls the drive speed of the transfer roller 59 based on the detection information of this sensor. .. When the sheet transfer speed by the transfer roller 59 is manually changed, the post-processing control unit 24 controls the drive speed of the transfer roller 59 based on the specified operation for the control panel 11. As a result, the optimum transfer speed can be set according to the sheet S, and transfer defects can be suppressed.

As an example of how to change the transfer speed, for example, when the size of the sheet S is large, the transfer speed is slowed down in order to prevent buckling of the sheet S during sheet transfer. That is, for example, the transport speed of the sheet S having a predetermined sheet size (for example, A4 size) is set to V1, and this transport speed V1 is set as the initial value (reference value) at the time of sheet transport. In this case, when the sheet S having a size larger than the A4 size (for example, the A3 size) is conveyed, the sheet S is conveyed by setting the transfer speed V2 slower than the transfer speed V1.
Further, when the basis weight of the sheet S is large, the transport speed is increased. That is, when transporting the sheet S having a basis weight of W1, the transport speed V3 is set. When transporting the sheet S having a basis weight W2 larger than the basis weight W1, the sheet S is conveyed at a transfer speed V4 faster than the transfer speed V3 of the sheet S having the basis weight W1.

Further, the post-processing control unit 24 shifts the timing between the operation of the pinch roller 61 sandwiching the sheet bundle SS and the operation of the stapler 55 binding the sheet bundle SS when the sheet is conveyed by the transfer roller 59.
That is, when the pinch roller 61 sandwiches the sheet bundle SS, if the impact of sandwiching the sheet bundle SS is transmitted to the sheet binding position, the sheet binding position may shift. Therefore, the operation of pinching the sheet bundle SS by the pinch roller 61 and the operation of binding the sheet bundle SS by the stapler 55 are performed at different timings. As a result, it is possible to prevent the pinch roller 61 from shifting the sheet binding position due to the operation of sandwiching the sheet bundle SS. At this time, by first performing the operation of binding the sheet bundle SS, the sheet binding process can be performed with the same accuracy as the existing sheet binding process in which the sheet bundle SS is not sandwiched by the pinch roller 61.

Further, the post-processing control unit 24 switches between sheet transfer by the bundle claw 57 and sheet transfer by the transfer roller 59 according to the number of sheet bundle SS.
That is, when the number of seat bundle SS is large, even a long seat S or a seat S that is easily bent becomes difficult to buckle. On the other hand, when the number of sheet bundle SS is large, it becomes difficult to transfer the sheet by the driving force of the transfer roller 59 that comes into contact with one side of the sheet bundle SS. Therefore, when the number of sheet bundle SS is large, it is possible to switch automatically or manually (specified operation) so that the sheet is conveyed by the bundle claw 57. As a result, it is possible to prevent a transport defect due to a large number of sheet bundle SSs.

Further, the post-processing control unit 24 can switch between sheet transfer by the bundle claw 57 and sheet transfer by the pinch roller 61 and the transfer roller 59 by the user's operation on the control panel 11.
As a result, the sheet transfer using the pinch roller 61 and the transfer roller 59 and the sheet transfer that pushes out the upstream end portion of the sheet S can be switched at the user's will. When the pinch roller 61 is in the rotation position, the sheet S cannot be buffered in the standby tray 41, and the sheet processing time becomes long. Therefore, by making it possible to switch the sheet transport method by user operation, it is possible to improve usability while suppressing transport defects. That is, when transporting a long sheet S or a sheet S that is easily bent, the sheet is selectively transported by the pinch roller 61 and the transport roller 59. As a result, it is possible to prevent the sheet S from being poorly transported. Further, in other cases (when transporting a relatively small sheet S or paper such as plain paper), the standby tray 41 can be used for transporting the sheet by the bundle claw 57. This makes it possible to shorten the sheet processing time (speed up the sheet processing).

FIG. 8 shows an example of the touch panel display of the control panel 11. The “discharge method 1” in FIG. 8 is set by default, and is a sheet discharge method using the bundle claw 57. In this case, it is effective for speeding up the sheet processing. The “discharge method 2” in FIG. 8 is a sheet discharge method using a pinch roller 61 and a transfer roller 59. In this case, it is effective for transporting the sheet S, which is soft, large, and has low rigidity.

Next, refer to the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 and 10 for an example of the processing performed by the post-processing control unit 24 when the sheet S is transported by the pinch roller 61 and the transport roller 59 after the post-processing of the sheet S. I will explain. The control flow shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle when the power supply of the post-processing device 3 is ON (the main switch is ON).

First, in step S1, the movable tray 23b is appropriately raised and moved to the standby position (see FIG. 3). By raising the movable tray 23b, the step between the movable tray 23b and the processing tray 51 is reduced. The standby position is a position below the protruding position of the truster 56a, and damage to parts due to interference with the truster 56a is avoided.

Next, in step S2, the solenoid 63 is energized to lower the pinch roller 61, and the sheet bundle SS is sandwiched between the pinch roller 61 and the transport roller 59 (see FIG. 4). As described above, the timing of sandwiching the sheet bundle SS by the pinch roller 61 is different from the timing of binding the sheet bundle SS by the stapler 55.

Next, in step S3, the bundle claw drive motor 65 and the ejector 56 are connected so as to be able to transmit power. That is, the electromagnetic clutch 66 is energized to turn the electromagnetic clutch 66 ON (connected state).
Next, in step S4, the forward rotation drive of the transport roller 59 is started. That is, the operation of transporting the sheet bundle SS on the processing tray 51 in the discharge direction is started. In step S5, the transfer operation of the sheet bundle SS is maintained for a specified time (for example, 10 msec).

Next, in step S6, the driving of the bundle claw drive motor 65 is started (see FIG. 5). As a result, the bundle claw 57 starts moving from the home position HP along the winding direction of the bundle claw belt 58. At this time, since the electromagnetic clutch 66 is in the connected state, the ejector 56 and the truster 56a move to the downstream side in the transport direction by the driving force of the bundle claw drive motor 65. Since the driving of the bundle claw drive motor 65 starts after the lapse of a predetermined time in step S5, the bundle claw 57, the ejector 56, and the truster 56a start moving behind the seat bundle SS.

Next, in step S7, it is determined whether or not the bundle claw drive motor 65 has completed the operation by a predetermined number of steps. When YES in step S7, the ejector 56 and the truster 56a are moved to the downstream side in the transport direction by a specified amount (particularly, the truster 56a is suitable for supporting the transport of the sheet bundle SS).

Next, in step S8, the current to the bundle claw drive motor 65 is maintained in a strong electric state, and the ejector 56 and the truster 56a are maintained in a state of being moved downstream in the transport direction against their own urging force. That is, the truster 56a maintains a state suitable for the transport support of the sheet bundle SS.

Next, in step S9, it is determined whether or not the transport roller 59 has completed the operation by a predetermined number of steps. When YES in step S9, the sheet bundle SS is in a state of being discharged from the processing tray 51 or is in a state of being discharged from the processing tray 51.

Next, in step S10, reverse drive of the bundle claw drive motor 65 is started (see FIG. 6). As a result, the bundle claw 57 is back-fed to the home position HP side along the winding direction of the bundle claw belt 58. Further, the ejector 56 and the truster 56a are back-fed to the upstream side in the transport direction. In FIG. 6, the movable tray 23b is lowered according to the ejection of the sheet S.

Next, in step S11, it is determined whether or not the bundle claw drive motor 65 has completed the operation by a predetermined number of steps. After the result is YES in step S11, the bundle claw drive motor 65 and the ejector 56 are separated from each other so as not to be able to transmit power in step S12. That is, the energization of the electromagnetic clutch 66 is cut off and the electromagnetic clutch 66 is turned off (disconnected state).

By back-feeding the ejector 56 and the truster 56a in steps S10 and S11 and then disengaging the electromagnetic clutch 66, the collision noise when the ejector 56 and the truster 56a return to the initial position by their own urging force is reduced. The electromagnetic clutch 66 may be disengaged without going through steps S10 and S11.

Next, in step S13, it is determined whether or not the transport roller 59 has completed the operation by a predetermined number of steps. If YES in step S13, it is considered that the discharge of the sheet bundle SS is completed, and the pinch roller 61 is raised in step S14 (see FIG. 7). Next, in step S15, it is determined whether or not the operation of the bundled claw drive motor 65 is completed (whether or not it is detected that the bundled claw 57 is in the home position HP). If YES in step S15, the process ends.

If NO in step S13, it is determined in step S16 whether or not the operation of the bundle claw drive motor 65 is completed (whether or not it is detected that the bundle claw 57 is in the home position HP). If NO in step S16, the process returns to step S13. If YES in step S16, it is determined in step S17 whether or not the transport roller 59 has completed the operation by a predetermined number of steps. That is, it waits for the transport roller 59 to complete the operation by a predetermined number of steps. If YES in step S17, it is considered that the discharge of the sheet bundle SS is completed, the pinch roller 61 is raised in step S18, and then the process is terminated.

In the above embodiment, the post-processing device 3 is separated from the image forming device 2, but for example, the sheet processing device may be an image forming device having an in-body finisher in the housing. The stapler 55 is provided as the sheet binding processing unit, but for example, a sheet binding processing unit using an adhesive tape may be provided.

According to at least one embodiment described above, the thin and soft sheet S can suppress the transfer defect of the sheet S even when the long sheet S such as A3 is conveyed from the processing tray 51. That is, as compared with the sheet transfer by the bundle claw 57, the buckling of the sheet S can be suppressed regardless of the size and type of the sheet S, and the transfer failure of the sheet S can be suppressed.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and variations thereof are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof, as are included in the scope and gist of the invention.

1 ... Image forming system, 2 ... Image forming device, 3 ... Post-processing device (sheet processing device), 11 ... Control panel (operation unit), 21 ... Standby unit, 22 ... Processing unit, 23 ... Discharge unit, 23a ... Fixed Tray, 23b ... Movable tray, 24 ... Post-processing control unit (control unit), 41 ... Standby tray, 51 ... Processing tray, 52 ... Horizontal matching plate, 54 ... Rear end stopper, 55 ... Stapler (binding processing unit), 56 ... Ejector (upstream moving member), 56a ... Truster (downstream moving member), 57 ... Bundled claw (extruding member), 59 ... Conveying roller, 61 ... Pinch roller, 65 ... Bundled claw drive motor (drive source), 71 ... bundle claw drive mechanism, 72 ... pinch roller drive mechanism, S ... seat, SS ... seat bundle, HP ... home position, D1, D2 ... seat transport direction, W ... seat width direction

Claims (7)

A processing tray on which the sheet to be post-processed is placed, and
A transport roller provided on the downstream side of the processing tray in the sheet transport direction and transporting the sheet to the downstream side in the sheet transport direction.
An upstream moving member that can abut on the upstream end of the sheet placed on the processing tray in the sheet transport direction and moves to the downstream side in the sheet transport direction.
An extruding member that extrudes the upstream end of the sheet placed on the processing tray from the upstream side in the sheet transport direction to the downstream side in the sheet transport direction, and transports the sheet to the downstream side in the sheet transport direction. When,
It can move to a standby position separated from the transfer roller and a rotation position close to the transfer roller, and when the sheet is transferred by the transfer roller, it moves to the rotation position and sandwiches the sheet between the transfer roller and the transfer position. With a pinch roller,
When transporting a sheet placed on the processing tray to the downstream side in the sheet transport direction, the sheet transport by the extrusion member, the sheet transport by the transport roller and the pinch roller, and the extrusion member, the transport roller, and the said. Controls to switch between sheet transfer by pinch rollers and
When the sheet is conveyed by the transfer roller, the extrusion member and the upstream side moving member are moved to the downstream side in the sheet transfer direction at a speed equal to or lower than the sheet transfer speed by the transfer roller, and the extrusion member is on the upstream side of the sheet. A control unit that controls contact with the end of the
A sheet processing device equipped with. A matching device for aligning the sheets placed on the processing tray in at least one direction of the sheet transporting direction and the sheet width direction intersecting the sheet transporting direction is provided.
The sheet processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit moves the pinch roller from a standby position to a rotation position after the matching process is completed, and stops the operation of the extrusion member. Downstream in the sheet transport direction together with the upstream moving member that can move between a position on the upstream side of the transport roller and a position protruding from the processing tray on the downstream side in the sheet transport direction from the transport roller. Provided with a downstream moving member that moves to the side and immerses itself in the processing tray.
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit immerses the downstream moving member in the upstream side before the transfer of the sheet placed on the processing tray is completed. The control unit changes the transfer speed of the sheet by the transfer roller according to at least one of the size and type of the sheet placed on the processing tray, and sets the transfer speed of the sheet by the extrusion member to the upstream side of the sheet. The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sheet processing apparatus is changed at a speed capable of contacting the end portion of the surface. A sheet binding processing unit that performs sheet binding processing on a sheet bundle composed of a plurality of sheets placed on the processing tray is provided, and the control unit operates to sandwich the sheet bundle between the sheet bundle and the transfer roller using the pinch roller. The timing of the operation of binding the sheet bundle using the binding processing unit is shifted from each other, the sheet bundle is sandwiched between the pinch roller and the transfer roller, and then the transfer roller is driven to drive the transfer roller. The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which controls the operation of the extrusion member after being driven. The control unit transports the sheet bundle by the extrusion member at a speed equal to or lower than the sheet transport speed by the transport roller according to the number of sheet bundles composed of a plurality of sheets placed on the processing tray. The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which switches between a pinch roller and a sheet transfer by the transfer roller. Further equipped with an operation unit that accepts input from the user
The sheet processing according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control unit switches between sheet transfer by the extrusion member and sheet transfer by the pinch roller and the transfer roller based on the input received by the operation unit. Device.

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